10 November 2025. Shane McCarthy, AgForce General President.
There has never been more an important time than now for advocacy.
The first and most important thing on the radar for the agriculture sector at the moment is the proposed changes to Australia's federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conversation (EPBC) Act.
As always, the devil is in the detail.
They're talking about bringing back an EPA, which is an environment protection agency to oversee the legislation, which would have the power to stop work.
But who are they? Who are they accountable to and how are they held accountable to do that?
Yes, there is a proposed appeal system, but that can be lengthy and costly. So these are a few of the concerns that we have with the EPA proposal as it stands. Industry desperately needs more detail
There are also concerns about the possibility we've heard about increasing fines, we need to know how those fines are determined as well. How is that calculation worked out? There also needs to be more transparency here.
There has been a pause in the process while Senate inquiry into the EPBC Act review takes place. Maybe this is a time to do further consultation with all of industry to make sure that we get it right.
Let's not just rush it through. These changes are too important - let's get it right so that it's workable for all of industry. We don't need legislation rushed through just for the purpose of getting legislation through and ticking a box off.
We need the EPBC Act to be workable so that industry can go forward and continue to produce the food and fibre to the standard that we produce it. After all, we've all got to eat and we all need clothes.
We need this pause that we've been given, so let's take the time to make sure that all of industry is consulted and we openly welcome an opportunity to speak with the Environment Minister Murray Watt. All industry point of views need to be heard. As Murray would know Queensland views are better than most.
A recent example of continued advocacy having an effect, is the recent discussion in Federal Parliament on Buffel Grass. We take this opportunity to thank the federal member, Bob Katter, for raising our concerns in parliament and we also welcome and thank the response from the Agriculture Minister Julie Collins in acknowledging that beef is an such an integral and important part of the Australian economy. And how Buffel therefore underpins of the red meat industry.
It's pleasing to hear her views and we look forward to working with her, to make sure that Buffel does not end up on any prohibited list that it doesn't need to end up on.
We also commend Woolworths in their recent AGM for acknowledging the importance of the beef sector.
It's worth acknowledging the work that has gone into demonstrating the reduction of emissions and ever improving land management to the point where the EU have now identified Australia at a low risk of deforestation. We commend Woolworths for acknowledging this and standing up against noisy ill-informed activists minority in this area.
As a past president of AgForce said to me, enjoy the wins while you can because the next three issues are already coming at you already. So let's celebrate the wins and get ready for the next round of lobbying for our Ag industry and making sure our voice is heard.
Because remember Every Family Needs a Farmer.
